CPHC FINAL

For a very efficient air-source heat hump, heating COP of ___ is a reasonable expectation.

3-4

Air and water typically constitute ___ % of soil volume.

50

What window energy loss are occupants generally most aware of? a. Radiation transfer b. Thermal bridging c. Air leakage d. Infrared transmittance

Air leakage

What primary characteristic of cool roofs reduces cooling energy demand? a. Air sealing of the roof surface b. Reduction of relative humidity in the attic c. Blockage of solar heat gain d. Long lifespan if installed correctly

Blockage of solar heat gain

How does advanced framing save energy? a. By using high R-value products b. By substituting wood framing with steel framing c. By minimizing the wood contact of a framed wall, increasing effective R-value d. By substituting wood wall studs with polystyrene studs

By minimizing the wood content of a framed wall, increasing effective R-value

A building product rated at 5 perms of water-vapor permeability is a ___ vapor retarder.

Class III

Which of the following would have the highest relative humidity and greatest precipitation? a. Tennesse and Kentucky b. The Northern Plains c. Coastal Oregon d. The Midwest

Coastal Oregon

___ is the process by which water vapor changes liquid water.

Condensation

What does ISO 13788 Low Thermal Inertia Elements calculator evaluate with reference to windows? a. Air leakage per linear foot b. Visible transmittance c. Exact solar transmittance d. Condensation resistance

Condensation resistance

What part of an air-conditioning system expels heat to the outdoors? a. Rejecter b. Evaporator c. Condenser d. Compressor

Condenser

Which of the following provides the most common thermal break to a standard framed wall? a. Low density spray foam 2. Dense packed cellulose insulation 3. Fiberglass batts d. Continuous exterior foam board

Continuous exterior foam board

Why does the Western US and Canada get more solar radiation than the Eastern US and Canada?

Fewer clouds

Which of these will provide the least expensive roof insulation? a. Ceramic insulation b. Spray foam insulation c. Fibrous insulation d. Foam board insulation

Fibrous insulation

Which of the following does a ducted mini-split system have that a ductless system does not have? a. Ventilation ducts b. An expansion valve c. A wall-hung indoor fan coil d. Forced-air ducts

Forced-air ducts

Which of these materials is a class I vapor retarder? a. Water-resistive barrier b. Building wrap c. 1-inch EPS d. Foundation waterproofing

Foundation waterproofing

Sensible heat is ___.

Heat gained or lost with an increase or decrease in temperature

Why does the Eastern US and Canada have more rainfall and a higher relative humidity compared to the Western US and Canada?

The Eastern US has more proximity to bodies of water

What is "Peak Heating Load"?

The amount of heating needed during the coldest time of the year

Which of these has the smallest molecule? a. Carbon Dioxide b. Oxygen c. Nitrogen d. Water

Water

Evaporative coolers are best suited for ___ climates.

dry

A ___ allows water out of a stucco wall assembly?

weep screed

Which of the following SHGCs is appropriate and practical for a window in a wall that is designed to collect solar energy? a. 0.25 b. 0.75 c. 0.5 d. 0.85

0.5

The ASHRAE/IECC climate zones in the U.S. are numbered from ___ (warmest), to ___ (coldest).

1, 8

PHIUS+ requires a separation distance of ___ between the ventilation intake and any known contamination source.

10 feet

A typical WRB will be in the range of ___ perms.

10-100

Which of the following is the best definition of a "hot roof"? a. A roof that is insulated between the rafters b. A roof with no air movement next to the sheathing c. A roof that becomes hot when absorbing solar energy d. A roof that is used as a solar collector

A roof with no air movement next to the sheathing

Which of the following program certifications is not a prerequisite of PHIUS+ Certification? a. LEED certification b. DOE Zero Energy Ready Home c. ENERGY STAR d. EPA Indoor AirPlus

a. LEED Certification

What is the potential problem with the whole house fans? a. Pressurization b. Radiant losses c. Poor transmittance d. Air leakage

d. Air leakage

Infrared must be taken of ___ and ___ during the field verification process.

each unique insulated assembly, window installation details

For window glazing coatings, "low-e" stands for "low-___"

emissivity

An HRV is suitable for ___, ___ climates

heating-dominated, dry

A ___ thermal bridge is considered beneficial to a passive building (improves the building performance).

negative

___ is the best approach to prevent attic overheating.

A cool roof

Selecting windows with a SHGC of ___ would be near optimal and also practical for a project in a hot sunny climate.

0.25

The average US citizen uses ___ energy than the amount of the 2000 Watt society considers sustainable.

6 times as much

Compared to conventional, code-compliant buildings, what is the average estimated space heating and site heating energy savings for passive buildings? a. 30-40% less space heating energy; 40-60% less site energy b. 20-30% less space heating energy; 30-50% less site energy c. 70-80% less space heating energy; 60-80% less site energy d. 0-10% less space heating energy; 40-60% less site energy

70-80% less space heating energy; 60-80% less site energy

Which of these choices does not provide overflow protection for bedrooms with closed interior doors while the ventilator is running? a. A jump duct b. A pressure switch in the supply register c. A door undercut by 1 1/2 inches d. A grill installed in the door

A pressure switch in the supply register

Which of the following building components would be considered a geometric thermal bridge? a. A corner wall-ceiling inside junction b. An uninsulated window frame c. A bolt holding a ledger plate to a wall d. A roof-wall junction

A roof-wall junction

____ stops rainwater from wetting the structural sheathing of a wood-frame building.

A water-resistive barrier

The ASHRAE/IECC climate comes are labeled with ___ for moist zones, ___ for dry zones, and ___ for marine zones.

A, B, C

What type of efficiency rating would you expect to find for a gas/combustion based heating system? a. HSPF b. AFUE c. COP d. SSE

AFUE

What must the CPHC do before PHIUS will begin reviewing the project's design for pre-certification? (2) a. Add the project into the review queue b. Update the projects energy model and documentation c. Request project feedback document from PHIUS d. Upload the project's initial WUFI passive energy model and supporting documentation e. Update the project's public listing in the PHIUS database

Add the project to the review queue, Update the project's initial WUFI Passive energy model and supporting documentation

What is the most likely cause of high relative humidity in an attic or roof cavity? a. Air leaks b. Snow or rain penetration c. Roof leaks d. Inadequate insulation

Air leaks

In conventional construction, which of these building components is least likely to contain a thermal bridge? a. A roof-wall junction b. An insulated glass unit c. A bottom place sitting on a concrete slab d. An outside corner of a wall

An insulated glass unit

Which of the following is a major difference between ASHRAE 62.2-2016 and PHIUS+ with regard to ventilation? a. Assumptions about envelope aire leakage rate b. Assumptions about indoor air quality c. Requirements for ventilator orientation d. Requirements for ventilator filtration

Assumptions about envelope air leakage rate

Where do you start the insulation of waterproofing materials in order to lap them in the correct way? a. At the bottom of the assembly b. From left to right c. From right to left d. At the top of the assembly

At the bottom of the assembly

Which of the following units of measurement does PHIUS use to specify whole building air leakage? a. CFM50 per square foot of building enclosure. b. ACH50. c. Btu per cubic foot per hour. d. CFM50 per cubic foot of volume.

CFM50 per square foot of building enclosure

What process characterizes water moving upward through soil? a. Diffusion b. Profusion c. Water pressure d. Capillary action

Capillary action

What building component prevents water from rising out of the ground and into the building? a. Ground water barrier b. Ground vapor barrier c. Water brake assembly d. Capillary barrier

Capillary barrier

What common gas serves as a controlling variable for demand-controlled or advanced ventilation systems? a. Methane b. Oxygen c. Carbon Dioxide d. Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Dioxide

Which of the following type of insulation has the lowest cost per R-value per square foot? a. Fiberglass loose fill b. Open cell spray foam c. Cellulose loose fill d. EPS

Cellulose loose fill

Which of these would be the least desirable foundation approach for an energy efficient building? a. Piers with an insulated floor b. Slab on grade c. Conditioned crawl space with insulated foundation d. Insulated basement

Conditioned crawl space with insulated foundation

Which 3 of the following are reasons to install structural heating vertically? a. Create an effective air barrier b. Create an effective vapor retarder c. Support every inch of sheathing joints by framing d. Optimize the strength of the framed wall

Create an effective air barrier, Support every inch of sheathing joints by framing, Optimize the strength of the framed wall

How does a ceiling fan enhance summer comfort? a. Creates moving air b. Removes heat from the air by stirring the air c. Reduces air temperature by convention d. Draws warm air up to the ceiling and pushes cool air down

Creates moving air

Which function is an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) not cable of? a. Filtering supply and exhaust air b. Exchanging heat between incoming and outgoing air c. Dehumidifying indoor air d. Exchanging moisture between incoming and outgoing air

Dehumidifying indoor air

In the peak load calculation, ___ characterizes climate. In the annual heat demand calculation, ___ characterizes climate.

Delta t, Gt

What forces drives water vapor through a material? a. Difference in relative humidity b. Difference in enthalpy c. Difference in absolute humidity d. Difference in temperature

Difference in absolute humidity

What do you call a gap between the exterior wall siding and the WRB?

Drainage plane

What type of ventilation system would you choose for a building in a hot, humid climate? a. Heat recover ventilator (HRV) b. Dehumidifier c. Exhaust-only ventilator d. Energy recovery ventilator (ERV)

Exhaust recovery ventilator (ERV)

Why is it difficult to design a continuous air control layer for retrofit projects on existing buildings? a. Modern air sealing materials do not work well with old building materials b. Existing building assemblies limit access to critical air sealing locations c. Plans and specifications for existing buildings are difficult to locate d. Retrofitting a continuous air control layer is very expensive

Existing building assemblies limit access to critical air sealing locations

Which of the following would eliminate the need for exterior window trim? a. Exterior foam insulation board b. Insulated vinyl window frames c. Exterior window jams extensions

Exterior window jamb extensions

True of false: Cellulose is moisture resistant and undamaged by wetting.

False

What is the main difference between source energy and site energy?] a. Generation, transmission, and distribution losses are included in source energy b. System efficiency losses c. Source energy is a small fraction of site energy d. Source energy and on-site energy reflect different types of energy

Generation, transmission, and distribution losses are included in source energy

Which type of material is required on crawl space floors and under concrete slabs?

Ground moisture barrier

Which of the following variables has heating degree hours as its unit of measurement? a. Ft b. U c. Gt d. Q

Gt

With a crawl space, why is insulating the ceiling of the crawlspace better than insulating the foundation walls? a. Insulating the crawlspace ceiling is not better than just insulating the foundation walls b. Because fibrous insulation is more effective than foam c. It established the thermal envelope at the boundary of the occupied space d. ventilation is not needed in the crawl space with floor insulation

It established the thermal envelope at the boundary of the occupied space

What is the one advantage of ventilating the roof above the roof deck? a. Collects more winter solar heat than ventilating below the roof deck b. Allows for more insulation compared to ventilating below the roof deck c. Less summer heat transmission than ventilating below the rood deck d. Less likely to leak compared to ventilating below the roof deck

Less summer heat transmission than ventilating below the roof deck

Which measurement is used in a psi-value (thermal bridge coefficient)?

Linear feet

Which of the following processes are caused by an increase or decrease of latent heat? a. Condensation and evaporation b. Melting and freezing c. Sublimation and deposition d. Adsorption and desorption

Melting and freezing

A window installed in the ___ of the wall usually fives the lowest installed U-factor.

Middle

What symbol is used to express the coefficient of thermal bridging?

Psi

What components does a heat pump have that an air conditioner does not? a. Evaporator b. Pressure transducer c. Expansion Valve d. Reversing valve

Reversing valve

What type of wall is a sandwich of OSB sheathing (outside) and foam board insulation (inside)? a. Double walls b. ICFs c. Advanced framing d. SIPs

SIPs

What is the purpose of the asphalt felt to other roof underlayment material installed under the shingles? a. Act as a radiant barrier for the roof b. Keep the shingles cool during warm weather c. Act as an air barrier at the roof d. Shed water that gets through the shingles

Shed water that gets through the shingles

The term 'framing factor" refers to

The percentage of a given area of a building assembly that consists of framing

___ is used to record changes to a PHIUS+ project submission when a project is in the pre-certification review phase? a. The project's supporting program checklists b. The projects PHIUS+ Feedback form c. The project's On-Site QA workbook d. The project's public listing on the PHIUS database

The project's PHIUS+ Feedback form

Low-e coatings improve the U-factor of a window because ___.

The resist the flow of radiant energy

Which of the following is a thermal bridge? a. The structural frame of a building b. An insulated building cavity c. Spray foam installed in a roof cavity d. An insulated window frame

The structural frame of a building

The main reason supply-only and exhaust-only ventilation systems are not allowed in PHIUS+ projects is because ___.

They cause pressure imbalances and increase risk of moisture damage in the building envelope

The primary purpose of attic or roof ventilation is ___.

To keep the roof deck dry

A whole-window U-factor of ___ (BTU/ft.2.hr.F) would be both practical and sufficient for most North American climates.

0.15

Which of these is the most vapor permeable? a. XPS b. Drywall c. Polyethylene d. Dampproofing

Drywall

Why are the broad trees more effective than tall trees at blocking solar radiation coming from the east and west? a. Solar radiation from the east and west is hotter b. Broad trees absorb more solar radiation compared to tall trees c. East and west solar radiation comes from higher in the sky d. East and west solar radiation comes from lower in the sky

East and west solar radiation comes from lower in the sky

Which of the following can be determined with only climate data? a. Annual Ventilation Loss b. Heating Degree Days c. Peak Internal Gain d. Peak Transmission Loss

Heating Degree Days

The units of measurement of 'Gt' are

Heating degree hours

An air space located on the outer side of foam insulation will protect the foam from ___ and ___.

High temperature, Bulk Water

Which of the following are effective shading strategies for south-facing windows? (3) a. Horizontal awnings above the window b. Solar screens c. Vertical fin shading d. Exterior louvered shutters

Horizontal awnings above the window, solar screens, Exterior louvered shutters

____ is measured in grains per pound.

Humidity ratio

What type of wall system contains the most thermal mass? a. Double walls b. SIPs c. ICFs d. Flash and batt walls

ICFs

What are the two main components of the indoor unit of a ductless mini split system? a. Evaporator and compressor b. Indoor coil and fan c. Compressor and expansion valve d. Condensor and condenser fan

Indoor coil and fan

How would you protect polystyrene foam installed under dark roofing in a practical and effective way? a. Use white EPS foam that reflects the sun's radiant heat b. The foam needs no protection in this situation c. Spray the roof with water during hot weather d. Install an air space and a vapor permeable radiant barrier above the foam

Install an air space and a vapor permeable radiant barrier above the foam

What is the best way to build an insulated foundation wall? a. Concrete blocks with interior foam insulation b. Poured foundation walls insulated with fiberglass batts c. Treated structural insulated panels d. Insulated concrete forms

Insulated concrete forms

What is usually the biggest challenge in retrofitting an exciting building to meet PHIUS+ standards? a. Installing high performance windows in old openings b. Installing continuous insulation in the walls c. Insulating the foundation d. Air sealing the roof-wall junction

Insulating the foundation

What moisture protection element is common with European windows but uncommon with North American windows? a. Integrated head jamb flashing b. Integrated side jamb flashing c. Integrated perimeter gasket system d. Integral exterior sill

Intergral exterior sill

How does a solar screen reduce window solar gain? a. It absorbs solar radiation before it reaches the glass b. It reflects solar energy after passing through the glass c. It turns solar rays, angling them away from the window d. It delays the passage of solar energy through the glass

It absorbs solar radiation before it reaches the glass

What advantage does a metal-clad window have over a vinyl window?

More durable material

What building pressure difference with outdoors exist inside a building when a whole-house fan is operating? a. Negative pressure b. A mixture of positive and negative pressure c. Neutral pressure d. Positive pressure

Negative pressure

Which of these building materials provides the most reliable and durable continuous air barrier for a roof? a. OSB b. Polyurethane caulking c. 15-pound asphalt felt underlayment d. Spray foam insulation

OSB

Which element can help reduce thermal bridging through an installed window unit? a. Peel 7 stick flashing b. Dense-packed cellulose c. The wood window buck d. Over insulation

Over insulation

Select all that are common problems with passive solar buildings: a. Overcooling of the thermal mass in winter b. Excessive heat loss in winter c. Overheating in summer d. Glare and fabric bleaching

Overheating in Summer, Glare and fabric bleaching, Excessive heat loss in winter

Which of the following best describes relative humidity? a. Weight of water vapor per weight of dry air b. It is synonymous with absolute humidity c. Percent of saturation d. Dewpoint

Percent of saturation

Which of the following is recommended as a primary air tight layer in a building assembly? a. Plywood or OSB b. Spray foam c. Cellulose insulation d. House wrap e. Drywall

Plywood or OSB

Which of the following is the most reliable and durable air barrier? a. House wrap b. Plywood taped at the seams c. Spray foam d. Cellulose insulation

Plywood taped at the seams

Most of ground moisture barriers are made of ___.

Polyethylene

Which foundation type would be the best choice for a flood prone region? a. Slab on grade b. Crawl space c. Basement d. Posts or pilings

Posts or pilings

The primary purpose of a WRB is to ___.

Prevent rain from wetting the exterior sheathing

You can prevent wind-driven rain and snow from entering an attic or roof cavity by using ___.

Sheltered roof vents

Which of the following has the highest U-factor? a. Low-e double pane glass b. Double pane glass c. Triple pane glass d. Single pane glass

Single pane glass

Which of the following foundations would more likely be the least expensive? a. Slab on grade b. Flood resistant c. Crawl space d. Basement

Slab on grade

What window performance characteristic is most important to control heat gain in a cooling-dominated climate? a. U-factor b. Infrared transmittance c. Visible transmittance d. Solar heat gain coefficient

Solar heat gain coefficient

Of the PHIUS+ criteria, both the ___ and ___ air tightness are independent of building climate.

Source energy and Air-Tightness Requirement

Which variable in the formula for peak ventilation load (Pv = nv * V * Cpp * Delta T) is treated as the constant? a. Chi value b. Temperature c. Conductivity d. Specific heat capacity of air

Specific heat capacity of air

How do you find delta T from the outdoor design temperature for a PeaK Heating Load calculation? a. Subtract the design temperature from the interior heating set point (68 degrees F) b. From the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration c. Add the design temperature to the customer's thermostat setpoint d. Directly from the PHIUS climate database

Subtract the design temperature from the interior heating set point (68)

Which of these is true of the PHIUS+ requirements? a. They are the same as the European Passivhaus Insitut metrics b. The source energy metric is unlikely to change in the near future c. Airtightness limits are climate specific d. They combine performance metrics and prescriptive requirements

They combine performance metrics and prescriptive requirements

What is the primary reason super-insulated buildings need exceptionally airtight building enclosures? a. To avoid drafts b. To optimize sustainability and social justice c. To minimize energy consumption d. To improve longevity and durability of the enclosure

To improve longevity and durability of the enclosure

What was the major purpose for tasing the example of retrofit house above its existing foundation? a. To insulate the footing and install a capillary barrier b. To insulate the slab c. To repair foundation wall and insulate it d. To protect the above-grade from flooding

To insulate the slab

What is the main benefit of a "cold roof" in a snowy climate? a. To maximize the R-value of roof or antic insulation b. To melt the snow off the roof c. To stop air leakage through the ceiling d. To prevent roof snow on the roof from melting unevenly

To prevent roof snow on the roof from melting unevenly

The primary purpose of the on-site verification QA/QC visits is ___.

To verify that construction matches the pre-certified plans and specifications.

True or false: Low-e coatings reduce the U-factor of a window compared to clear glass.

True

What window performance characteristic is most important to reduce heat loss in a heating-dominated climate? a. Visible transmittance b. U-factor c. Infrared transmittance d. Solar heat gain coefficient

U-factor

Which of the following factors are used to determine the overall thermal resistance of a window unit? (3) a. U-factor of the frame b. U-factor of the glass c. Psi-value of the spacer d. Psi-value of the rough opening

U-factor of the frame, U-factor of the glass, Psi-value of the spacer

What is the name of the space between the WRB and the cladding? a. Ice shield b. Vented-cavity rain screen c. Wall thermal break d. Vapor control layer

Vented-cavity rain screen

Which of the following values are part of the NFRC Rating system? (2) a. Visible transmittance c. Shading coefficient d. Solar heat gain coefficient

Visible transmittance, Solar heat gain coefficient

Which of these items must be completed by the PHIUS+ Rater during the QA/QC site visit process? (Select all that apply) a. Visual Inspection of insulation and air barrier b. Final ventilation flow and balance testing c. Final enclosure air tightness testing d. Complete project QA workbook and corresponding program checklists

Visual inspection of insulation and air barrier, Final ventilation flow and balance testing, Final enclosure air tightness testing, Complete project QA workbook and corresponding program checklists

What type of moisture barrier prevents water from rising through concrete? a. Foundation dampproofing b. Vapor retarder c. Water resistive barrier d. Capillary Barrier

Water resistive barrier

Which of the following best describes desorption? a. Water vapor entering the surface of a material b. Water vapor leaving the surface of a material c. Evaporation from a surface d. Capillary action

Water vapor leaving the surface of a material

What type of moisture barrier is required for basement foundation Walls? a. Water resistive barrier b. Dampproofing c. Waterproofing d. House wrap

Waterproofing

What type of moisture barrier should be used on the outside of a basement foundation? a. Capillary barrier b. Waterproofing c. Damp proofing d. Air-vapor proofing

Waterproofing

Which of the following climate control situations is least likely to require the use of the psychometric chart? a. Summer ERV operation b. Summer humid-climate air conditioning c. Wintertime indoor dewpoint d. Winter space heating

Winter space heating